In the Floriculture course at Calhoun Middle High School, they cover a wide variety of standards related to floral design. Students ultimately are able to create, price, and market floral arrangements using practices that closely align with industry standards.
Floriculture counts as an art credit for high school students, so there are some basic art concepts covered such as principles and elements of design and color theory. Students learn the relationships between various colors, how to mix primary colors to achieve all other colors, and how to consider the emotions tied to colors when choosing shades for a floral design. They also learn basic florist techniques, such as wiring and taping and apply those skills on class projects. Their year started off by learning the basics of taping and wiring by creating a crepe paper flower crown. After that project, students were much more confident using floral wire and tape. They have since practiced those skills when creating corsages for the school’s 8th grade and senior nights.
Most recently, students have created their first round arrangements using wet floral foam. This activity pushed students to put all they had learned in class together in order to achieve a full, eye appealing design. Students also learned how to price floral arrangements with this project.
The skills that students learn in Floriculture can be applied to a plethora of activities and potential jobs in the future. The most obvious of those being a florist, floral designer, or florist’s assistant. Through this class the students learn many of the skills that are vital to this profession, which gives them a leg up over other potential candidates with less experience. Many of the skills that students learn in Floriculture could also translate into a career in interior or landscape design. Students also learn the basics of growing flowers and caring for fresh cut flowers, as well as flower preservation methods. All of these skills could serve a future career in any plant-based field such as greenhouse, nursery, or turf management.
